Airbus Helicopters H125 vs Leonardo Aw109 Grand New
The Airbus Helicopters H125 (AS350 family) and the Leonardo AW109 Grand New sit in different light-helicopter niches. The H125 is a single‑engine utility helicopter optimized for versatility, high‑altitude/hot‑and‑high performance, and external‑load work; it is commonly used for EMS support roles, law enforcement, utility, and tourism. The AW109 Grand New is a twin‑engine light helicopter oriented toward speed, redundancy, and premium passenger transport, and it is frequently configured for corporate/VIP and air ambulance missions. In range, the AW109 Grand New generally offers longer IFR-oriented legs and higher cruise efficiency typical of its twin‑engine design, while the H125’s range is competitive for a single‑engine utility platform but is more mission- and tank-configuration dependent. For passenger capacity, the H125 is typically configured for one pilot plus up to five or six passengers depending on layout and weight limits, whereas the AW109 Grand New commonly carries one or two pilots with about six passengers in executive or standard cabin configurations. Overall, H125 emphasizes payload flexibility and operating economy; AW109 Grand New emphasizes twin‑engine performance and refined passenger transport.
| Spec | AIRBUS H125 | AGUSTA / LEONARDO AW109 Grand New |
|---|---|---|
| Summary | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| DOC / nm | $ 4.61 | $ 7.31 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 |
| Flight Rules | VFR | VFR |
| Manufacturer | Airbus Helicopters | Leonardo |
| Aircraft Name | H125 | AW109 Grand New |
| Certification | FAA / EASA | FAA / EASA |
| Max Range (nm) | 341 | 464 |
| DOC / nm / Seat | $ 0.77 | $ 0.91 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 |
| OEM Verification | VERIFIED | Un-Verified |
| Useful Load (lbs) | 2189 | — |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Direct Operating Cost | $ 627 | $ 1,140 |
| Flight Deck (Base Spec) | Garmin G500H | EFIS |
| Max Cruise Speed (ktas) | 136 | 156 |
| Base Aircraft Price (USD) | $3,200,000 | $ 7,800,000 |
| Cabin | ||
| Cockpit | 2 | 2 |
| Min Crew | 1 | 1 |
| Total Seats | 6 | 8 |
| Max Cabin Seats | 5 | 6 |
| Standard Cabin Seats | 4 | 6 |
| Engine | ||
| FADEC | Yes | Yes |
| Model | Arriel 2D | PW207C |
| Fuel Type | JetFuel | JetFuel |
| TBO (hrs) | 5000 | 4000 |
| Horsepower | 847 | 735 |
| No. of Engines | 1 | 2 |
| Fuel Capacity (gal) | 143 | 152 |
| Dimensions | ||
| Length (ft) | 42.5 | 42.5 |
| Overall Height (ft) | 10 | 11.5 |
| Rotor Diameter (ft) | 36.1 | 35.5 |